FR2680757A1 - Modular structure in the shape of a dihedron made of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, for producing large containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular structure in the shape of a dihedron made of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, for producing large containers. This structure comprises at least three rectangular panels (1, 2, 3) made of semi-rigid material, of substantially identical dimensions, each panel comprising a straight folding line enabling it to be folded in order to form a dihedron, the panels (1, 2, 3) being superimposed and assembled with each other in the folded position by gluing, in order to form a sandwich structure, the central panel (2) being offset with respect to the other two panels (1, 3) in such a way as to protrude laterally beyond the latter by a width sufficient to form an assembly tenon (2a), whilst between the said other two panels (1, 3), on the side opposite the edge forming a tenon (2a), there remains a gap forming a mortice (2b), capable of receiving a tenon (2a) of corresponding dimensions and of thus allowing the assembly, by respective interlocking and gluing of a tenon and a mortice, of two identical structures, the assembled sections thus forming a wall of a container body and the edges of the two structures forming two parallel edges of that body.

Description

MODULAR STRUCTURE IN THE FORM OF A DIEDRE, IN A MATERIAL
SEMI-RIGID SUCH AS CORRUGATED CARDBOARD, FOR REALIZATION
CONTAINERS OF LARGE DIMENSIONS.

 The present invention relates to a modular structure in the form of a dihedral, in a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, for the production of large containers. It relates more particularly to structures of this type able to be assembled in pairs, with their edges arranged perpendicularly, to define a side wall of a container.

 It is known that large corrugated cardboard containers, intended to contain volumes of several cubic meters of various materials, in particular loose materials, generally have a complex framework, due to the resistance to compression which they must oppose to the conditioned product. They are therefore difficult to produce and the cost price of such containers is relatively high.

 The present invention seeks to remedy this drawback by proposing a modular structure, made of corrugated cardboard or the like, which makes it possible to manufacture easily and at low cost containers of large dimensions, having mechanical characteristics at least equal to those of the containers of the prior art.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a modular structure in the form of a dihedral, in a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, for the production of large containers, characterized in that it comprises at least three panels rectangular in semi-rigid material, of substantially identical dimensions, each panel comprising a rectilinear upsetting allowing it to be folded to form a dihedral, the panels being superimposed and assembled together in the folded position by gluing, to form a sandwich structure, the central panel being offset with respect to the two other panels so as to project laterally outside of them of a width sufficient to form a connecting stud, while between said two other panels, on the side opposite to the edge forming a stud, remains a void forming a mortise, suitable for receiving a post of corresponding dimensions and thus allowing assembly, by respective interlocking and colla ge of a tenon and a mortise, of two identical structures, the assembled parts thus forming a wall of a container body and the edges of the two structures forming two parallel edges of this body.

 The angles of the dihedrons may be any, but, of course, the invention is particularly well suited to the production of container bodies with a rectangular or square section, that is to say the dihedrons forming an angle of 900.

 The shaping of the structure according to the invention will be done easily on a former (template), before the adhesive for assembling the panels is dry.

 The three panels assembled by gluing will have identical dimensions. They can be juxtaposed by taking as reference lines the delivery lines. If the lateral parts of the dihedrons have different surfaces, it will be possible to use three similar panels with their delivery line in identical position. By pivoting 1800, the central panel with respect to the other two panels and bringing the delivery lines together before assembly and folding, one easily obtains the tenon and the mortise of the structure thus produced.

 Naturally, it will be necessary to crush the semi-rigid material of each of the panels along its line of delivery, so as to perfectly coincide the dihedrons obtained by folding.

 By assembling identical structures step by step, it will thus be possible to easily and inexpensively produce a container body whose vertical edges will consist of the edges of the dihedrons and which will have very high mechanical strength due to the triple wall thickness.

 The base of the container may consist of a bell-shaped bottom covering the base of the body of the container and made integral with the latter by gluing or stapling. This bottom may be integral with a handling pallet.

A cover forming a bell can also cover the container.

 Containers produced using modular structures according to the invention may have large volumes, reaching and exceeding 10 m3. They will advantageously have dimensions and a volume which will be a sub-multiple of the dimensions and volume of a container for rail, sea or air freight.

 Preferably, an access door to the interior of the container will be provided in one of its side walls.

The invention will be more fully described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of two structures according to the invention, before assembly thereof;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of three quarters of a container body made using four structures of the type of those of Figure i
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a container whose body was made using the structures according to the invention.

 As can be seen in FIG. 1, these structures include three panels 1, 2 and 3, made of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, assembled by gluing face to face so as to form a sandwich structure. These panels are folded around a delivery to form dihedrons whose edges such as 4 and 5 coincide. They have substantially equal dimensions and their edges perpendicular to the edges of the dihedra (upper and lower edges, when these edges are arranged vertically) are substantially flush in the same plane. On the other hand, if the edges parallel to the edges of the dihedra of the external panels 1 and 3 of the sandwich structure are substantially in the same plane, it is not the same for the central panel 2, which is offset laterally with respect to the panels 1 and 3, and which projects beyond them by a width 1, forming a protruding tenon 2a. Similarly, the opposite edge of the central panel 2 is offset by a width 1 inwards between the panels 1 and 3, to release between them a free space 2b forming a mortise.

 It is understood that by engaging the pins 2a in the mortises 2b of identical structures and joining them by gluing, it is possible to produce a container body 5 such as that shown in FIG. 2, the side walls of which consist of two contiguous parts assembled together of two structures according to the invention. The body 5 of the container of Figure 2 has a rectangular section and is produced using four identical structures according to the invention, the lateral parts of the dihedral have different dimensions. In this case, to make each structure in a simple way, three identical panels are used, in which a delivery is made at the same predetermined location. It is superimposed between the panels with the grooves arranged in the same plane and the central panel is rotated by 1800, while maintaining its groove coinciding with the other grooves. Finally, the panels are glued and shaped using a conformator. Due to the difference in dimensions between the lateral parts of the dihedrons thus assembled, the central panel is offset with respect to the external panels, and the tenon and the mortise of the structure are thus produced in a very simple manner, although the starting panels are identical.

 The container produced using such a container body 5, of rectangular or square section can be of any known type. As shown in FIG. 3, it may comprise, for example, a bell-shaped bottom 6, glued or stapled to a handling pallet 7 and whose straightened edges such as 8, come to stick against the external faces of the body 5 Similarly, a bell-shaped cover 9 can cover the container and be made integral with the latter by gluing.

 Note the great simplicity and low cost of modular structures according to the invention and the ease with which they lend themselves to the production of a container body.

Claims (4)

 1- Modular structure in the form of a dihedral, in a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, for the production of large containers, characterized in that it comprises at least three rectangular panels (1,2,3) in semi-rigid material, of substantially identical dimensions, each panel comprising a rectilinear outlet allowing it to be folded to form a dihedral, the panels (1,2,3) being superimposed and assembled together in the folded position by gluing, to form a structure sandwich, the central panel (2) being offset with respect to the two other panels (1,3) so as to project laterally outside of them of a sufficient width to form an assembly tenon (2a), while 'between said two other panels (1,3), on the side opposite the edge forming a tenon (2a), there remains a void forming a mortise (2b), capable of receiving a tenon (2a) of corresponding dimensions and thus allowing assembly , by nesting respe ctif and bonding of a tenon and a mortise, of two identical structures, the assembled parts thus forming a wall of a container body and the edges of the two structures forming two parallel edges of this body.  2- Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of the dihedrons is 900.  3- Structure according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the panels (1,2,3) have identical dimensions, in that their delivery line is arranged in the same position on the three panels and the divides into two unequal parts and in that the edges of the three dihedrons coincide in the same plane, but with the central panel (2) returned from 1800 compared to the other two panels (1,2).  4- Container body produced by assembling the structures according to claims 1 to 3, with interlocking and bonding of the tenons and mortises of the adjoining structures.